More Current Research about Ginger Tea Health Benefits

Research examining the many ginger tea health benefits provides us with even more reasons to enjoy this spicy, fragrant herbal tea!

American poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The first wealth is health." In today's busy and often stressful world, however, it can be challenging to make time to nurture physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Finding simple but effective ways to support and enhance health - such as drinking teas and herbal tisanes - can make a world of difference in how we feel and in the quality of our lives, too.

Traditional herbal wisdom and recent scientific research provide us with sound information about the benefits of teas, so we can rest assured that, by choosing good teas for us, we are helping and supporting our bodies and minds.

Relieve Arthritic Pain, Swelling, and Stiffness with Ginger

A 2001 study at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Florida in the US looked at the effectiveness of ginger in helping people with OA (osteoarthritis) of the knee.

The 247 participants in this study, all of whom had moderate to severe pain levels from OA in their knees, were randomly divided into two groups.

For the six weeks of the study, the first group received concentrated ginger extract twice each day, while the second group was given a placebo twice daily. The participants were allowed to take acetaminophen when they felt it was necessary, as a 'rescue' medication.

Following the six weeks of treatment, the ginger group reported significantly reduced knee pain on standing and after walking, as compared to the placebo group. Also, those in the ginger group turned to the rescue medication less often than the placebo group did during the study.

The researchers also noted that the group receiving the ginger extract experienced more gastrointestinal complaints (generally mild) from the treatment.

Another study focused on ginger's ability to help manage OA pain found that ginger was as effective as diclofenac (a nonsteroidal medication intended to reduce pain and inflammation) in pain management - without the potential gastrointestinal concerns that may occur as a side effect from taking diclofenac.

This research, which took place in 2012 at The Central Gastroenterology Scientific Research Institute in Moscow, Russia, involved 43 participants, each of whom had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in their knees or hips.

The participants were randomly divided into two groups and, for the four weeks of the study, the first group was given 340 mg ginger extract each day, while the second group was given 100 mg diclofenac daily.

Each day, all participants also took 1000 mg glucosamine (a naturally occurring compound widely used to help manage osteoarthritis).

While both the ginger group and the diclofenac group reported significantly reduced OA pain when standing and moving following their treatment, report results indicated that those in the ginger group did not experience any indigestion, gastrointestinal pain, or negative effects on or degeneration of the stomach's mucous membrane, as those in the diclofenac group did.

In fact, ginger was found to actually reduce gastrointestinal pain and have a protective effect on the stomach's mucous membrane.

In an Iranian study published in 2005, ginger extract was found to be as effective as ibuprofen (a nonsteroidal drug intended to relieve pain and inflammation) in helping to manage pain, swelling, and other symptoms associated with osteoarthritis.

The 120 participants in this study, who ranged in age from 52 to 64, each suffered from moderate to severe OA pain and dysfunction, but were otherwise generally healthy.

Following a 'washout' period of one week (during which time the participants received no treatment for their OA), they were randomly assigned to one of three groups - the ginger group, the ibuprofen group, or the placebo group.

Then, each day for one month, each participant was given either 30 mg ginger extract, 3 - 400 mg ibuprofen tablets, or a placebo, according to his or her group.

Following the treatment, results indicated that ginger and ibuprofen were equally effective at reducing pain, swelling, and joint stiffness and mobility. However, the researchers commented that ginger does not have the same risk of various adverse effects as ibuprofen (including gastrointestinal problems or ulcer complications, such as bleeding or perforation).

Before you make some ginger tea to enjoy these ginger tea health benefits...

If you're considering adding ginger tea to your diet to help you manage any particular health condition or concern (such as arthritic pain and swelling), please do not make any changes to your current treatment plan without consulting with your primary healthcare provider first. She or he can help you make the best decisions for your health and wellness.

Page 2 of 6

Teas and herbal tisanes - such as healthful ginger tea - are natural, cost-effective, accessible, safe alternatives to many medications for helping to manage many everyday health concerns. However, please do remember that ginger tea does contain active ingredients, which means that this herbal tea may not necessarily be the best choice for you.

More about Ginger Tea Benefits

Benefits of Ginger Tea - You'll find lots of information about the wonderful benefits of this fragrant, tasty herbal tea for health and wellness here.

Ginger Tea Benefits & You! - If you've experienced ginger tea's benefits for health and wellness, why not share your story with our other readers? And, read what other visitors to our site have to say about ginger tea health benefits, too.